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The Mopar That Should not Exist.
In 1966, Dodge revolutionized the muscle automotive market with the introduction of the 426 HEMI engine, designed particularly for racing after which tailored for manufacturing vehicles. On the similar time, Chrysler discontinued the 426 Wedge engine, making manner for the HEMI’s dominance. However what if I advised you there exists a 1966 Dodge Coronet with the discontinued 426 Wedge? This uncommon and distinctive automotive defies all expectations.
Again in March 2023, a peculiar 1966 Dodge Coronet surfaced, claiming a novel standing as the one certainly one of its form. Referred to as a “Mr. Norm’s” automotive, it raised eyebrows and questions because of its undocumented standing. After many years in storage, the automotive was displayed at numerous exhibits, nonetheless shrouded in thriller. It wasn’t till Jim Wicker acquired the automotive in Could 2024 that the total story started to unfold. Jim was decided to revive this uncommon gem, a activity that was each difficult and rewarding.
At first look, this 1966 Coronet seems peculiar. Nevertheless, it is a one-of-one mannequin outfitted with a factory-installed 426 Wedge V8 engine—a powerplant that was not in manufacturing on the time. This automotive is not only a manufacturing mannequin; it is extra of a prototype, assembled utilizing OEM elements from earlier years. Jim speculates that Chrysler constructed this automotive to showcase readiness for the NASCAR season amid challenges in rolling out the HEMI.
Famous Mopar professional Galen V. Govier confirmed the automotive’s authenticity as a 1966 Wedge, noting that solely three such autos had been ever special-ordered, with Jim’s Coronet being the one one identified to exist right this moment. The automotive’s intensive documentation from all earlier house owners, coupled with its connection to the famed Grand Spaulding Dodge dealership, additional cements its historic significance.
This Coronet’s historical past is as colourful as its journey. The primary proprietor drag-raced the automotive, finally blowing the engine in a road race and changing it with a 383 cubic inch massive block. Subsequent house owners modified the automotive, together with a purple paint job and several other mechanical tweaks, earlier than it was saved away for many years.
Unearthed in 2012, the Coronet went via a sequence of householders earlier than touchdown in Jim’s succesful fingers. Since buying it, Jim has devoted over 700 hours to its restoration, aiming to return it to manufacturing facility specs. The automotive, initially completed in Darkish Blue Poly with a two-tone blue inside, can be meticulously restored to its unique glory, with some components of its racing previous retained.
Restoring the 426 Wedge engine, the rarest facet of this automotive, isn’t any small feat. Jim is sourcing and date-coding main parts to make sure authenticity. The restoration can be as near factory-correct as potential, honoring the automotive’s distinctive historical past whereas preserving some modifications made throughout its racing days.
This 1966 Dodge Coronet 426 Wedge is about to develop into a museum-grade basic, a testomony to the golden period of muscle vehicles. As Jim prepares to unveil this uncommon gem on the 2024 Muscle Automotive and Corvette Nationals in November, anticipation builds amongst automotive fanatics. Keep tuned for a follow-up on this traditionally vital automobile, and take a look at Jim’s YouTube channel, “AngryCylinders,” for updates on this unimaginable undertaking.
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